The Shadow Knows

Tone mapping has been a well-respected artistic tool at least since Ansel Adam's book "The Print" -- but it required a set of darkroom techniques that were difficult to master. Now tone mapping is possible in-camera using contrast and exposure settings, shadow adjustment, etc. Image editing software on a computer allows even more complex transformations: HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing, levels adjustments, retinex, dodge/burn, etc. The challenge here is to use tone mapping to make a photograph express your artistic vision rather than what the camera literally saw.

Show full rules

Announced:

Thursday, 18th June, 2009 (GMT)

Submissions:

Thursday, 25th June, 2009 –
Wednesday, 1st July, 2009
(GMT)

Voting:

Thursday, 2nd July, 2009 –
Wednesday, 8th July, 2009
(GMT)

Processing rules:

Tone mapping (something more than "auto levels") must have been applied to the captured image either in-camera or as a post-processing step.

HDR compositing or stacking images of the same scene to improve tonal quality is not required, but is welcome.

Capture date rules:

No restrictions.

Additional rules:

Mention how and why you mapped the tones or submit an image that contains the original and re-mapped versions. Images that neither describe nor show the transformation will be disqualified.

Multiple submissions by the same person must be of significantly different subjects.